Title: How Does It Feel (54?)

Author: palephoenix (palephoenix(underscore)6(at)yahoo.ca)

Genre: LOTR FP-het

Pairing: Legolas/OFC

Rating: PG

Warning: This story is a Mary Sue... I cannot fathom why anyone would waste their time reading it if they don't like Mary Sues... Well, go ahead and waste your time if you want, but don't waste mine by reviewing telling me my fic sucks.

Disclaimer:Not for profit, purely for entertainment purposes. The characters belong to Tolkien and the actors belong to themselves. I'm just borrowing them. I don't know the actors; if I did I wouldn't be writing this... I'd be keeping Orlando in my bed for the next five years.

Feedback: pretty please with Orlando on top?

Notes: Eilish is pronounced 'eye-lish'... As far as I know it is the Irish version of Elizabeth... As in previous chapters, words in italics are in elvish, with the translation at the end of the paragraph. This chapter is more book verse, but I've changed things a bit. Words in bold are in French, with a translation at the end of the paragraph.Some dialogue (and only dialogue) is taken directly, word for word, from the book.

Summary: Labour and delivery nurse Eilish Bell is in a car accident and finds herself thrown into Middle Earth.

Chapter 54

The healers, carrying two child-sized stretchers of poles and strong linen, arrived expeditiously. The group assembled waited wordlessly, though some, Merry in particular, were fidgeting with excitement. Eilish watched breathlessly as the two eagles, bigger than any she'd ever seen before, swooped down toward the waiting crowd, gently depositing the small hobbit forms on the stone before landing beside them.

Eilish caught Merry as he made to run to his friends. "Don't! Let the healers take them."

At her words, the healers rushed forward with their stretchers, to where the two hobbits lay. After quick preliminary evaluations, they carefully lifted the small bodies onto the stretchers and were away as quickly as was safe.

Rather timidly, Eilish stepped toward the eagles, Merry hiding behind her, clinging to her skirt. The slightly larger of the two, obviously the leader, turned to eye her. "Are you Gwaihir?" Eilish asked nervously.

"I am," The large raptor replied.

"Could you tell us, how does our company fare? Gandalf, Lord Aragorn, the Rohirrim, the elves?" She asked.

"Lady Eilish is particularly worried about the Prince of Mirkwood," Merry piped up rather cheekily, squeaking indignantly when Eilish poked him in the back.

"They were far outnumbered," Gwaihir told her, giving Merry a look, though his eyes glinted in amusement. "The Ring was destroyed at an opportune moment. They would have been defeated had the hobbits not succeeded. But they are well. Including the Prince of Mirkwood."

"Thank you," Eilish released a sigh of relief. "How long would you expect until they return to Minas Tirith?"

"They will be exhausted after the battle, but I believe they will hurry in spite of their fatigue," Gwaihir blinked at her, his sharp golden eye twinkling. "Perhaps five days from today, I would expect."

"Oh, that's good. Thank you very much."

"Thank you, sir," Merry peeked out from behind Eilish to speak to the eagle-king.

"You are welcome young hobbit," The eagle replied, before he and his companion turned to the open air and lifted from the stone on strong wings.

Eilish and Merry watched them go for a few minutes, then headed toward the Healing Houses. The two rooms were a flurry of activity, particularly Frodo's. The hobbit was still very much unconscious, while Sam was awake, but lying back on the pillows wearily. Eilish entered with Merry at her heels, and took a seat on a chair by the bed. So exhausted was he that Sam did not notice their presence.

"Sam? Samwise Gamgee?" Eilish called gently.

Sam slowly turned his head toward them, relief in his eyes as he realized who he was looking at. "Lady Eilish? Merry? Where's Mr. Frodo?"

"He's just in the next room, hon, the healers are looking after him. Don't you worry about him. He's gonna be fine," She took a glass from the bedside table and filled it with water from a stoneware pitcher. "Now, here Sam, you drink this water, slowly now, though."

Sam accepted the glass and sipped at it for a couple minutes before handing it back to Eilish. "I'll have more in a minute."

"Okay, but I want you to make sure you finish that whole glass before you go back to sleep. You're very dehydrated," Eilish urged.

"Yes 'm," Sam said obediently.

"I'm so glad you're okay, Sam," Eilish leaned over and hugged Sam gently.

"Me, too, Sam," Merry threw his arms around the other hobbit as soon as Eilish had released him.

"Good to see you, too, you crazy Brandybuck."

Seeing Sam's eyes beginning to droop, Eilish handed him the glass of water again and the hobbit dutifully swallowed what was left. When he'd finished Eilish took the empty glass, replaced it on the table and let Sam rest again. Putting a finger to her lips, she motioned Merry to follow as she left the room.

TBC...